MARSHALL COUNTY, Alabama - A 64-year-old Marshall County man convicted last month of murdering his son was sentenced today to 45 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Tim Jolley told those in the court he realized Samuels' had a history of cancer and acknowledged his advancing age but said he felt the sentence was appropriate for the crime.

Samuels was found guilty in the fatal 2009 shooting of his son, 35-year-old Greg Samuels. According to testimony during the trial, Samuels admitted killing his son after an argument and said, "I wish I'd done it a lot sooner." However, witnesses testified Greg Samuels was a violent "bully" and his father acted in self defense.

Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall said the state requested a sentence of at least 20 years so that Samuels would not be eligible for bond while appealing his conviction.

"We wanted to make sure the sentence was above the range that would allow him to stay out pending appeal," Marshall said.

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